He’d just finished putting Kara’s bag in the back of Juan’s white van along with the rest of their luggage. As he emerged, he glanced up at the house, trying to think if they’d forgotten anything. That morning, it had suddenly occurred to him that after the attack there’d be no reason for them to remain in Mexico City. Either they’d have succeeded, in which case they could all head home to the US, or else they’d be on the run for their lives, and need to get the hell out of the city anyway.

There was a third option, of course. He set his jaw and ignored it.

“Good. We’re almost ready, then,” said Kara. Her nails were red again today, with little flecks like diamonds; they matched her bright red top. Thankfully, things hadn’t been too awkward between them since the other night, though Alex had the impression Kara thought he was kind of an idiot not to take what she’d been offering and just enjoy it. He couldn’t really argue.

Sam appeared, carrying a cardboard box on his shoulder. “Have we got room for this?”

“What is it?” asked Alex.

“Just some of the food supplies. Munchies for the road.”

The decision that they should pack up had been met with obvious relief by the rest of the team. Though Alex hadn’t expected it to act as a morale boost, it obviously had – it gave the attack this afternoon a sense of when we succeed, instead of if.

“Yeah, I think there’s room.” Kara moved past him to delve into the van, shifting Alex’s tent and sleeping bags to one side. Alex looked away, remembering lying in that tent with Willow. If he was still alive after the job today, he’d soon be putting hundreds of miles between them, with no idea where she even was any more. Frankly, it was part of the appeal of taking off. He wanted to get as far away from memories of Willow as possible.

“I still think we should just steal the 4 x 4,” said Sam, passing the box to Kara. “Man, I have travelled in this van. It’s like rolling around in a box of marbles.”

“We’ll be all right,” said Alex. He had the 4 x 4’s keys in his pocket; he was going to follow the others over to the Torre Mayor to return it to Sophie.